One of the best times of the day in Key West is the early morning. One of the best meals in Key West is breakfast. There are so many good places to have breakfast that if you stay for seven days and only have six mornings, you may still miss one or two favorite places to eat in the morning.
Croissants de France is a nice breakfast spot. Check out the 1 day old pastries on top of the counter. More than ½ price off and still so good. Great to stock up on for late night snacks or to bring back home. The chocolate du pain, apricot croissant, and cinnamon rolls are worth a try.
Another spot on Duval Banana Café for homemade crepes. There is usually a line so be prepared to wait. The crepes are big and filling and they offer several to choose from.
One block over on Simonton is Sarabeth's of New York fame. They have really nice egg dishes. The Pumpkin Waffles are worth a try for something different. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are also popular.
Turtle Kraals at the Key West Bight starts serving at 7:00 a.m. and you can sit along a section of the Historic Walk, overlooking the harbor. In addition to a good choice of eggs, omelets, pancakes, etc., they have a daily special. You will not be disappointed if you simply go there, sit down and order the daily special. Bloody Marys are up to you at this time of the morning.
Two Friends Patio Restaurant at 512 Front Street. Breakfast is served from 8:00 a.m. until noon; costs from $4.00 to $12.00 and you can sit at a small table overlooking either Front Street or Ann Lane, enjoy the breeze, and watch Key West get ready for the day. They have a daily seafood special omelet (usually scallops and shrimp) and a steak and cheese omelet (thin sliced steak, onions peppers, and Jack cheese) either of which will keep you until happy hour.
Pepe’s Café and Steakhouse at 806 Caroline Street.. There is an indoor dining area but you will want to pass through this and sit in the garden and marvel at the lighting fixtures. They open at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast will cost from about $10.00 to $20.00. Along with the regular menu items you will want to listen carefully to the daily specials. They serve a chili omelet – an omelet with black beans and onions folded inside, and served with one of their home-made breads. It is worth eating at Pepe’s just for the coffee and bread.
Blue Heaven on the corner of Petronia and Thomas, three blocks west off of Duval. Most locals feel its a little over rated but try it for yourself. During high season, you may have to wait a while for your meal. They serve breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30, and one strategy is to go a little later, give the hostess your name, then sit at the outdoor bar in the back and enjoy a Bloody Mary. They advertise breakfast from $5.00 to $13.00, but you will pay a little more. The benedicts are worth a look. Two examples are the Seafood Benedict ( Fresh fish sautéed and served with poached eggs on English muffins with lime Hollandaise sauce) and the Lobster Benedict (Fresh Florida Lobster served with poached eggs on English muffins with lime Hollandaise sauce). But, again, wait to hear the daily specials. And Blue Heaven also serves a specific Sunday Brunch.
Rooftop Café and find a table on the veranda that overlooks Front Street, either in the shade or the sunshine. From here you can look across to the tower at the Wrecker’s museum, the upper decks of a cruise ship, and one of the souvenir markets across Front Street. Breakfast starts at 9:30 which is a little later than most of the other places, and will cost between $7.00 and $18.00. Eggs Benedict (poached eggs and Canadian bacon on an English muffin with Hollandaise) or, better still, the Chesapeake Bay Eggs (poached eggs with a shrimp and crab cake on an English muffin with Hollandaise). By the way, all of the reviews for dinner at the Rooftop Café mention the shrimp and crab cakes. And the café also lists a separate Sunday Brunch menu.
Galleon Deli and Tiki Bar. They begin serving breakfast at 6:30, it will cost between $5.00 and $10.00 based on what you order and the sides that go along with it. The food is pretty basic and nothing memorable but this is one of the better deals for breakfast in Key West if you just want something simple, and it has the nice location, overlooking a section of the harbor. You must go inside the small deli area and place your order. Then pour yourself a cup of coffee and go back outside and enjoy the view and the breeze while it cooks. They will bring it out to you when it is ready.
Martin’s restaurant serves breakfast from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m on Sundays. They will take reservations and you need them for any time after noon. Their eggs Benedict and open-faced sandwiches are superb. Order the Black Forest Eggs Benedict with a Mimosa and you will see why this restaurant is such a Local's Favorite. They offer more variations of a Benedict than any other restaurant in Key West and all are made to order. To name just a few, Shrimp Benedict, Yellowtail Benedict, Filet Mignon Benedict, Crab Cake Benedict and Lobster Benedict.
If you'd rather eat overlooking the harbor, walk down the Mallory Docks to Bistro 245 at the Westin. It's listed as 245 Front St. There are tables with umbrellas just in front of the hotel and another dining area just at the edge of the walkway at the oceanfront, and breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m. The Bistro serves eggs Benedict with a particularly Key West slant. Instead of serving the eggs on ham or a steak, they are served on a fillet of grilled fish.
If none of these choices sound good, go to 700 Front Street to the Damn Good Food Co. To Go, order a café con leche and a home-made cookie.
Camilles located on Simonton Street is another great place for breakfast. Locals are not as much of a fan of this place since it moved years ago but judge it for yourself. The omeletes are huge, fluffy and they offer many choices of cheese. The eggs Benedict good along with any of their homemade pancakes. The atmosphere has that Key West feel and the servers are friendly. Another great thing is with their mimosas they actually bring you a small bottle of the sparkling wine and when you need more fresh squeezed oj, they bring you more so you can finish your bottle. Great place for breakfast. Is a bit pricey, but heck you're in Key West!!
